Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand
From Te Papa’s art collection comes a dynamic exhibition across five galleries. The art works here explore identity and cross-cultural exchange.
Closed
17 Mar 2018 – 13 Sep 2021
Exhibition Ngā whakaaturanga
Stories behind the portraits – in New Zealand Sign Language
Curator Historical New Zealand Art Rebecca Rice and Curator Mātauranga Māori Matariki Williams tell NZSL Presenter Theresa Cooper about four of the artworks on the portrait wall in Tūrangawaewae: Art and New Zealand.
Te Umukohukohu pūtātara
“Taonga puoro allows us to signify to visitors that they will be encountering a wall that depicts contended histories.”
Matariki Williams talks about Te Umukohukohu pūtātara:
Te Umukohukohu pūtātara on Collections Online
Portrait of D.K. Richmond
“This year marks 125 years of suffrage in New Zealand. It’s a good a time profile notable women from our history who, in their quiet way, contributed to the culture of this place.”
Rebecca Rice talks about Norman Garstin, Portrait of D.K. Richmond:
Portrait of D.K. Richmond on Collections Online
Carved mirror frame
“The mirrors highlight that the stories on the wall have contemporary resonance.”
Matariki Williams talks about Tene Waitere, Carved mirror frame:
Carved mirror frame on Collections Online
Poedua [Poetua], daughter of Oreo, chief of Ulaietea [Ra‘iātea], one of the Society Isles
“Poetua appears serene, but this painting actually had its origins in an early clash of cultures.”
Rebecca Rice talks about John Webber, Poedua [Poetua], daughter of Oreo, chief of Ulaietea [Ra‘iātea], one of the Society Isles:
Thanks to Theresa Cooper, NZ Sign Language Presenter and Ginette Harborne, NZ Sign Language Interpreter.
Bonus: How to sign art words
You might also like
Watch: Ngā Tai Whakarongorua | Encounters timelapse
This portrait wall forms part of the Toi Art exhibition ‘Tūrangawaewae: Art & New Zealand’, which spans historical portraiture to contemporary practice, with art works that inspire and provoke, question and console.